A major restoration of The Railroad Museum of New England's Thomaston Station is underway by its members. The station was built in 1881 and sits on a 1.11-acre East Main Street site in Thomaston, CT. The restoration project includes not just the station building itself but also several outbuildings, display tracks, an operating control tower, pedestrian walks, parking lots and a picnic area.

The station itself was built in 1881 by the original Naugatuck Railroad. It is 2,424 square feet in size, constructed of wood frame and brick with plaster interior walls and ceilings. The last passenger train departed from the station in 1958. The station later fell victim to a fire set by vandals in 1993. Starting by the inside corner, the fire raced directly up the attic steps destroying the roof but, fortunately, damaging little else. The fire fighters' water and exposure to the elements took their toll on the fragile plaster interior surfaces.

In 1996, RMNE established the Naugatuck Railroad as an operating subsidiary for the rail line, and turned its attention to the restoration of Thomaston Station. In 1997, Thomaston Savings Bank made possible the first phase of the project with a substantial donation to rebuild the roof, upper masonry work and chimneys. Through 1999, work continued on the interior of the station. Permanent electrical service was installed, ruined ceiling lath was removed, and a general cleaning inside got rid of the remaining dirt and debris from the fire and years of exposure. The gift shop and ticket sales areas were set up to complement the exhibit panels thereby making the station amenable for the visitors. The attic was cleaned up and repairs made to the attic stairs, damaged by the fire.

In 2001, another grant from the Thomaston Savings Bank allowed the platform canopies to be restored. The original exquisitely detailed wood canopy supports were examined and found to be in fine shape, save for two which exhibited some deterioration. A new canopy deck was installed over the summer.

In 2003, work was completed on the new "Comfort Coach" restroom facility. Designed to look like an old passenger car body, the new facility harmonizes with our surroundings, and provides a much-needed facility for our volunteers and visitors alike.

The siding behind the station was rebuilt and lowered to allow the display of various pieces of restored railroad equipment. We hope to rotate the displays and bring in different examples of freight and passenger cars for our visitors to enjoy.

Much progress over the last few years has been made, but so much more remains to be done. The balance of the exterior masonry requires pointing and, in many places, replacement. Windows need repair or complete rebuilding. Permanent heating, ventilating, lighting and plumbing facilities and fixtures have to be installed. The ticket window and station agent area has to be rebuilt. Appropriate period benches and similar fixtures need to be replicated and installed. Displays need to be expanded and developed as space becomes available. The Museum has collected and preserved countless artifacts during its 30-year history, which will be placed on display when the room is provided for.

Outside, the platforms will be extended, paved and lighted. The grade crossing is awaiting installation of authentic hand-operated crossing gates and the crossing tender's shanty. In addition to the switch tower and mail crane, there will be an operating water stand for steam engines and a working hand-operated freight derrick. We hope to demonstrate the many functions of the railroad using our Thomaston Station as the centerpiece.

Our volunteers continue to work towards the goal of restoring Thomaston as a complete and functional railroad station of the 1950’s. With your help and support, we can meet our goal!